MSc Students

CT scanning, Carbonates, Sedimentology,

Jacob's research into the Upper Cambrian Microbial reefs outcropping in Mason county Texas, has utilized CT scanning technology to generate mineralogical trends from whole core in the dominate facies. He has additionally pioneered a method that tracks the extent of diagenetic alteration in log form.

discrete element model, fractures, microstructural evolution

My research focus is on numerical simulations of biaxial experiments using a discrete element model. I hope to understand the microstructural evolution in rocks from fracture initiation to failure and beyond.

geophysics, seismology, Galicia, tectonics, extension, passive margins

The W coast of the Iberian Peninsula is a classic magma-poor rifted margin, where slow crustal hyperextension allowed rising mantle to cool/harden instead of melting. A long, margin-parallel Peridotite Ridge (PR) separates the final prerift material from this trans. zone of exhumed mantle. The PR has been dredged, drilled, and imaged in 2D for over 40 years, but new 3D seismic finally reveals its inner structure and evolution.

Sedimentology, Upper Cambrian, Microbial Bioherm, Andre Droxler

My current research focuses on the characterization of Upper Cambrian microbial reefs of Mason County, central Texas exposed along certain bodies of water. This project is part of a Microbial Research Consortium consisting of Rice and Trinity University with funding and interaction from Stat Oil, Shell, Exxon, and Conoco Phillips. This research consists of reservoir analysis of the microbial reef complex acting as an analog to large offshore discoveries of pre-salt hydrocarbon deposits of Angola and Brazil.
My specific field area focuses on a very large outcrop on the James River, located on a recently accessible private ranch. The outcrop consists of a laterally extensive pavement of juxtaposed bioherms adjacent to a cliff face revealing bioherm relationships with the inter-reef strata. Using a suite of analytical techniques, we hope to understand the relationship between microbial buildups and their depositional environment, with specific focuses on buildup geometries, microbial macro- and microtextures developed, and the relationship between the buildups and the coeval inter buildup sedimentation.

Structural geology; Geomechanics; Offshore Margins; Forearc evolution; Seismotectonics; Marine geology & geophysics

I use numerical simulations to study the deformation a seamount can levy on a forearc, and its influence on the seismic potential of subduction zones. I explore how differing mechanical properties, and seamount geometries can control the extent of deformation.